Door Hinge Flat Bottomed Blind Hole Ball Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door hinges with hemispherical blind hole bottoms are complex and costly to manufacture, leading to high production expenses and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A door hinge design featuring bearing sections made from solid profiles or turned parts with flat bottomed blind holes, using plastic sliding shell elements with spherical cap-shaped surfaces and a metal ball for low friction, along with rotationally symmetrical components that can be easily assembled and welded, eliminating the need for complicated hemispherical shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hemispherical blind hole bottoms are used in bearing sections, then the door hinge achieves proper ball retention and bearing function, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bearing section into multiple components: the bearing section body, the sliding element, and the closing element. This segmentation allows the blind hole to have a simple flat bottom that is easy to manufacture, while the sliding element and closing element together provide the hemispherical retention function. The complex ball retention function is achieved through component assembly rather than a single complex molded part.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding element is inserted into the blind hole and positioned against the flat bottom, while the closing element is subsequently inserted to engage with the sliding element and form the hemispherical retention structure. This nested arrangement allows the complex retention function to be built from simpler individual components, each easy to manufacture.
2Reliability
If a large number of parts are used in the door hinge to achieve suitable storage and bearing function, then the bearing performance is improved, but the assembly complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ball retention function and the bearing guidance function into a single integrated bearing section structure. The sliding element and closing element work together within the bearing section to provide both functions, eliminating the need for separate retention mechanisms and reducing the total part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing section is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides ball retention through the sliding element and closing element, guides ball movement through its cylindrical structure, and allows for adjustable positioning through the integrating tool. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Ease of manufacture
If flat bottomed blind holes are used instead of hemispherical bottoms, then manufacturing simplicity is achieved, but proper ball retention and bearing surface geometry must be maintained through alternative means
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding element acts as an intermediary between the flat bottomed blind hole and the ball. It provides the spherical cap-shaped bearing surface needed for proper ball contact, while being supported by the simple flat bottomed hole. The closing element serves as another intermediary that secures the sliding element in position and completes the retention geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the bearing surfaces: the sliding element has a spherical cap-shaped inner surface that contacts the ball, while its outer surface is cylindrical for engagement with the blind hole. The closing element has a corresponding geometry that complements the sliding element. This parameter optimization allows flat bottomed holes to achieve the same functional geometry as hemispherical holes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design simplifies production, reduces manufacturing costs, and achieves low frictional forces and wear, resulting in a cost-effective and efficient assembly process with minimal play in the finished hinge.
Implementation Method 1
The sliding shell elements have a spherical cap-shaped bearing surface for the ball, so that the large sliding surfaces result in only low frictional forces and, as a result, low wear.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a door hinge having an inner and an outer door hinge part (1, 2; 4, 5). The inner and outer door hinge part (1, 2; 4, 5) have securing means (1, 4), in particular in the form of hinge straps, for mounting on door frames or on the door. The outer door hinge part (1, 2) has two bearing sections (2) which are rigidly connected together by the securing means (1), and the inner door hinge part (4, 5) has a bearing section (5) which is arranged between the two bearing sections (2) of the outer door hinge part (1, 2). The invention is characterized in that at least one bearing section (2, 5) has an end-face recess in the form of a blind hole (2a) with a flat base (2d). A first cylindrical sliding shell element (6) lies in the blind hole (2a) and the end-face outer wall (6c) of the element lies flatly against the base (2d) of the blind hole (2a). The first sliding shell element (6) has a spherical calotte-shaped wall (6a), in which a ball (7), in particular a ball made of metal, lies, and a second cylindrical sliding shell element (8) lies entirely or partly in the blind hole (2a), said second cylindrical sliding shell element having a concave spherical calotte-shaped wall (6a), which lies flatly against the ball surface, on the sliding shell element end face facing the ball (7). The second cylindrical sliding shell element (8) has a central recess (8c) on the sliding shell element end face facing away from the ball (7), and a projection (5b, 5c) of the adjacent bearing section (2, 5), in particular a cylindrical projection, engages into the central recess. The end face (5d) of the projection (5b, 5c) rests against the base wall (8b) of the central recess (8c).